Christmas Fun!!!

Christmas came and went quickly. We had a very exciting Christmas -my brother Ryan proposed to his girlfriend Erica! It was unexpected and created a room full of crying women!!! lol

It's unbelievable to think that next Christmas we will have two new additions to our family! I love babies!!

The day after Christmas we decided to head up to Floodwood and take the snowmobiles out to the hunting shack. We had a wonderful time. Snowmobiling through the woods in pitch blackness was a little creepy- especially when you could hear the wolves howling in the background!! We are looking forward to our next trip and we plan on staying out at the shack.

Ice Fishing

Today my brother and Mike( Rissa's boyfriend) decided that they were going to go ice fishing. They rest of us tagged along. Mike just got a new ice house that seats 6 and we used another 2 person one. On the way out I stopped at Super one and bought 4 pounds of Deli Meat, hawaian rolls, Chips and pop.
We listened to the bulldog game and actually met a nice dog named Suzie that lives on the lake. Her owner also came out to visit us and warned us that she steals fish!!! lol
I was nervous is when Rissa was driving me and Tristan back to the car on the 4-wheeler!!! lol
It was a wonderful day and now we are going to spend the evening at my moms- she is making homemade pizza and crazy cake!!

Grandpa's Gas Station

One of my fondest memories as a child was being able to go to my grandpa’s gas station. My Grandpa Tom and his brother Joe owned “ Frenchy’s” a service station in Downtown Duluth. Frenchys was located on 1st Ave East and 1st Street. They opened it in 1960 and it closed either in the late 80’s or early 90’s. Every Sunday when church is over we drive past the location and an overwhelming sense of nostalgia passes through me.
Grandpa’s gas station was located right in the heart of the “Bowery”. The homeless people used to sleep in an area under 1st Avenue until the city sealed it off. Grandpa made projection videos of the drunks, prostitutes and homeless people that habitated the streets. (IF I ever find a projector I could watch the old movies)
The local police officers loved to hang out at Grandpa’s station. I would often find them sitting at the counter writing a report or visiting with Grandpa. I was usually greeted with a big hug or carried around by some of the local officers. I would sit and visit them while savoring the taste of the glass bottled coca cola that came from grandpa’s machine.
Sometimes I would wander into the service station and watch Uncle Joe at work. The rugged scent of oil and metal has always stayed with me and when I go into a shop- I see myself standing in the doorway looking at a car with Uncle Joe under the hood.

Grief

Just yesterday my mom said " Grandma doesn't want me listening to Christmas music in the house, it makes her miss grandpa too much" I understood why Grandma felt this way. Grandpa Tom loved music and he loved singing songs to the ones he loved. It made me wonder what Christmas songs were special between the two of them.

I grieve for my tiny little Grandma and the fact that she lost the love of her life.

The last few years have been a time for deep grieving in our family-

We are thankful for the years we had with our loved ones and we will always cherish their Memories.

In loving memory of my grandfather - Thomas Aubut

My Auntie Marilyn

Myrissa's Father- Chico Warner Laitinen- Age 34- a life cut way to short

Kyle's best friend- Hjalmer James Johnson- Age 34- another life cut way to short.

My best Friend from High School- James Pierson Age 34- another life cut way to short.

The loss of Olie our dog was also another time of grief for us this year...

Kyle and I will never forget the loss of our daughter Olivia Lynn Louhela 4/9/97-4/9/97

"Carol of the Bells" Tanner's Choir Concert

*Baby Calyb*

Myrissa is now 19 weeks Pregnant!!! She is due April 29th!! Here are the 4D ultrasound pictures!!

"Oh Lutefisk"

Every year my dad always bursts into song singing the Lyrics to " Oh Lutefisk" In case you want to join in on our family tradition I've decided to post the lyrics.... lol

O Lutefisk, O Lutefisk
Lutefisk, O Lutefisk, how fragrant your aroma,
Lutefisk, O Lutefisk, you put me in a coma.
You smell so strong, you look like glue,You taste just like an overshoe,
But lutefisk, come Saturday,I tink I eat you anyvayLutefisk,
O lutefisk, I put you in the doorvay.I wanted you to ripen up just like they do in Norvay.
A dog came by and sprinkled you.I hit him with my overshoe.
O lutefisk, now I supposeI'll eat you while I hold my nose.
Lutefisk, O lutefisk, how well I do remember.On Christmas Eve how we'd receive our big treat of December.It wasn't turkey or fried ham.It wasn't even pickled Spam.My mother knew there was no riskIn serving buttered lutefisk.
Lutefisk, O lutefisk, now everyone discoversThat lutefisk and lefse make Norvegians better lovers.Now all the world can have a ball.You're better than that Geritol.
O lutefisk, with brennevin [Norwegian brandy]You make me feel like Errol Flynn.
Lutefisk, O lutefisk, you have a special flavor.
Lutefisk, O lutefisk, all good Norvegians savor.That slimy slab we know so wellIdentified by ghastly smell.Lutefisk, O lutefisk,Our loyalty won't waver.
tune: O Tannenbaum

Christmas Time!!!

Christmas time is our favorite time of the year. We love it so much that Kyle and I even were married on December 6th. I of course had my tree up and decorated the day after Thanksgiving. The same weekend we spent time making spritz cookies.
My father is a full blooded Norwegian and some of our food traditions include lefse, the dreaded lutefisk,rosettes and I recently started making futtagmen.
Christmas Eve is going to be spent with Kyle's family in Floodwood and Christmas day we will spend at our house with my family.
Our family is thankful for God's gift to us and " Jesus is the reason for the season" is not just a saying but a truth that is placed closely in our hearts.